pool parties...

i love discovering what my kids come up with during imaginary play...

this day was a lazy morning in the shade...

i was doing yard work and they were doing this...

enjoy the first official day of summer!

the ferry ride

the cheapest (free) 

and easiest (drive on up)

 cruise you will ever have (you can even see dolphins)

with your children...(they are easily pleased)

and they will love it! (and you will too)

happy father's day

 happy father's day to the man who loves, teaches, protects, entertains, challenges, holds, and inspires his girls everyday. we know how special you truly are. thank you for all that you do for us. love, your girls.

funny friday foto

found these at an entrance of a wal-mart

in honor of my husband who enjoys ketchup on his ketchup...this looks gee-rows!

thankful thursdays

i'm thankful for...

the beach!

my favorite foods to eat at there are stuff like...mangos, cherries, nectarines, summer sausage, cheese, crackers, sugar wafers, chocolate covered almonds, and yogurt covered pretzels with plenty of water!
(okay, i like to eat these things anywhere, anytime, all the time :)

i see the need to rent the $30-a-day chairs and umbrella because who wants to lug that around when you have a full ice chest (see above).

while sitting in the shade i have to read magazines and a new book.

a video camera and digital camera are a must!

along with tons of sunscreen, sand toys, boat, towels, extra towels, towel clips, wipes, and did i mention food!

every year we HAVE to visit a beach and we always take a little home with us :)

 i'm so thankful for the beach!!!

the beach that was named after me (or not)

crystal beach ended up being a great beach for shelling and not a great beach for swimming. 

we took the ferry boat over to bolivar peninsula and experienced the beach that was named after me :)

there were some beautiful finds and the children and i came back with some really neat and very large shells.

my husband found a coconut and then tried to crack it open.

the pelicans were awesome to watch in the sky. 

i would say that hurricane ike really seemed to have made his mark here. 

 

but it was worth the morning ferry trip there to experience this adventure with my family.

my bed feels like 12 clouds and my house smells like a yankee candle!

we ventured off on our first 4 day weekend away from home this summer.

we headed to my mom's who lives on the water.

the kids rode a ferry for the first time.

we stayed at the beach all day.

and the kids had a blast.

but...the adults were exhausted.

 

my husband and i came up with the conclusion that vacations are still enjoyable as adults, but it is a very different kind of enjoyment.

i must admit that i found myself the most gleeful as i entered the house and laid down in my own bed.